Our Opinion: Wanted: Democrats to run for Sangamon County offices

It was disappointing this week to learn that the Sangamon County Democratic Party once again failed to slate candidates for important countywide offices up for election in 2014.

Monday was the filing deadline for candidates for the 2014 election, and no Democratic candidates submitted the necessary petitions and paperwork indicating they intend to run for sheriff, clerk or treasurer of Sangamon County.

Voters deserve a robust slate of candidates from which to choose, and having candidates from opposing parties on the ballot is the key to a strong election.

For Sangamon County sheriff, voters in the March 18 primary will choose between two Republican candidates — current undersheriff Jack Campbell and retired sheriff’s lieutenant Wes Barr.

The current sheriff, Neil Williamson, a Republican, intends to retire this spring at the end of his fifth term as the county’s lead law enforcement officer. He has been sheriff since 1994.

Campbell and Barr both spent the bulk of their careers working for Williamson. Barr became a deputy in 1991, a sergeant in 2001 and a lieutenant in 2008. He retired in May. Campbell became a deputy in 1996, a sergeant in 2004, a lieutenant in 2006, a captain in 2007 and chief deputy (undersheriff) in 2008. He has Williamson’s endorsement for sheriff.

Campaigning in the sheriff’s primary has been underway for several months, and it is one of the most closely watched local races statewide.

County Clerk Joe Aiello and Treasurer Tom Cavanagh, both Republicans, also apparently will run unopposed.

Aiello has been county clerk for 20 years. The last time a Democrat challenged him was in 2006, and that candidate withdrew from the race before the election. Aiello had no opposition again in 2010.

Cavanagh is seeking his fourth four-year term as county treasurer.

The only way Democratic opponents could jump into the race now is by way of write-in candidacy. Sangamon County Democratic Party chairwoman Doris Turner has offered no explanation about the lack of candidates for the posts.

The inability to find Democrats to seek election to some of these seats is a long-standing problem in Sangamon County. In 2010, previous Democratic Party chairman Jim Moody explained that it can be tough to find candidates, noting special qualifications required for some of the countywide positions as well as other difficulties that come with running for election.

“The incumbents have been in there for quite some time and are fairly popular in this county,” Moody said. “You have to raise money. It’s a rigorous schedule. Your background is scrutinized, and the campaigning is tough. You’ve got to get out there for months and months and months, deliver your message.”

Moody was correct. It’s not easy to run for office. But Sangamon County Democrats have a real problem on their hands when year after year they fail to find and support candidates for countywide elections.

This is not an indictment of the Republican incumbents’ and candidates’ tenure or fitness to hold office. It’s simply an acknowledgement that Sangamon County voters deserve a choice at the ballot box. It’s also a plea for Democrats to step up and give incumbents the best possible run for their money.

Local government is too important for officeholders of any party to run unopposed.